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Chapter 14: Playing

When we enter the Olympic arena we find what can only be described as organized chaos. There has to be over 100 people confined into the small lobby and half of them don't speak English. The three of us look around for the rest of the team, but don't see anyone.

"They must not be here yet. What time were supposed to be here baby?"

"They should be here in any minute. I am going to try to find something to drink. Do either of you want anything?"

Both Doc and Jack shake there heads no and I go off to find a vending machine. When I finally find one I discover it empty. Figures....with all these people here....why would anything be left. I turn around and make my way back towards where I left Jack and Doc. They are no where to be found. Where could they have gone? Then I hear Buzzy.

"Hey Tara....over here!"

When I turn toward my name I see the entire team....well not the whole team....my dad is missing and....shit....so is Jack. I run over to the guys.

"Hey guys....how was the ride? Have you seen my dad? Or Jack?"

"Your dad went to talk to Jack. I think they are out on the ice."

"Thanks Jimmy."

I leave the group....without so much as a goodbye....I am going to have to apologize for that later....and make a b-line for the ice. As I get closer I can see both Jack and my dad. There backs are to me and I can't hear what they are saying. Time has never moved so slow in my life! What is my dad saying? I know this has to be about Jack's knee and his place on the team....I wish I could hear them or at least see their faces. Finally Jack starts to turn around. Somehow he finds me right away. He throws his crutches in the air.

"OC is playin baby!"

If my dad wasn't two feet away I would have run onto the ice at that very moment and tackled Jack. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulder. Jack is going to get to play in the Olympics! I smile at Jack and then quickly turn my head as my dad begins to face Jack. If my dad had seen my face in that moment he would have known we were in love. I make my way for the team bus.

"So what did your dad say?"

"Is OC going to play?"

"Does he get to stay?"

The questions were coming from every end of the bus, but it is not my place to tell. I head for my usual seat at the back of the bus. When Jack gets on there are no more questions....the smile on his face says it all.

"Congrats OC!"

"I told you so!"

"Wouldn't want it any other way man!"

My dad has gotten on the bus in time to witness this show of support. Our eyes meet and he smiles. For a brief minute I think he knows, but then I realize that he is proud of his team....and of himself....all of his "games" worked. This team....made up of guys who basically hated each other only months earlier....is a family. They are united in every sense of the word. My dad was probably the only one who believed this could happen and now that it has he is one step closer to getting what he has always wanted.

My dad drops his head and takes his seat. Seconds later Jack is next to me and we quickly kiss.

"Thank you."

"What are you thanking me for? I had no idea what my dad was going to do."

"But you helped me to see that there was hope and...."

"And what?"

"I knew no matter what happened you would be there for me....and that made everything better."

"Really?"

"Yes, really....and I want you to know that I will always be here for you."

"I know."

I knew my dad could not see or hear us so I kissed Jack again and laid my head on his shoulder. It is a position that I think I could stay in forever.

As we got off the bus I noticed that my dad was waiting by the front gate of the village. At first I thought it was weird but then I figured he just wanted to make sure the team got checked in ok. It wasn't until I almost passed him that I found out why he was waiting.

"Tara, can I talk to you for a minute?"

He sounded serious. This can not be good. He must know. But how? I know he couldn't hear us on the bus....I know Doc didn't say anything....maybe one of the guys? No....they wouldn't. Then how? I guess there is only one way to find out.

"Sure dad, what's up?"

"Not here. Let's go to my room."

"Ok."